Wire drawing apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A wire drawing apparatus and method is disclosed which comprises the process of drawing wire on multiple die slip type machines consisting of the steps of separating the dies and their capstans into at least two groups of one or more dies such that each group can be lubricated with a separate lubricant. The machine for improved wire drawing has the dies and capstans separated into at least two sections of one or more dies and capstans such that different lubricants can be used in each section. The seal between the sections is made by a die attached to a separator wall which separates the sections.

United States Patent Krafit [4s] Aug. 29, 1972 [54] WIRE DRAWING APPARATUS AND 21 Appl. No.: 111,440

[52] US. Cl. ..72/43, 72/278, 72/289 [51] Int. Cl. ..B2lb 45/02, B2lc 1/04 [58] Field of Search 72/4l, 43, 44, 45, 2 74, 278, 72/281, 286, 289

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 380,055 3/1888 Sawyer ..72/4l 1,999,942 4/1935 Nacken Kivley 72/44 O'Donnell et al. ..72/4S Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham Assistant ExaminerMichael J. Kennan Attorneyberner, David & Littenberg [57] ABSTRACT A wire drawing apparatus and method is disclosed which comprises the process of drawing wire on multiple die slip type machines consisting of the steps of separating the dies and their capstans into at least two groups of one or more dies such that each group can be lubricated with a separate lubricant. The machine for improved wire drawing has the dies and capstans separated into at least two sections of one or more dies and capstans such that different lubricants can be used in each section. The seal between the sections is made by a die attached to a separator wall which separates the sections.

16Claims,9l)rawingl1gures WIRE DRAWING APPARATUS AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In present slip type wire drawing machines a single solution is used to lubricate the wire drawing dies and the pulling capstans and to cool the wire dies and capstans. This solution is usually a combination of a base solvent such as water or a light mineral oil with various natural or synthetic soaps, fats and where oils. For the best lubrication of each die, the solution at that die should be viscous enough to form a thin continuous layer between the die and the wire being drawn through the die. This layer of lubricant must be as thin as possible, however, to maintain control of the diameter of the wire as it is pulled through the die. The thickness of the layer of lubricant increases as the speed of the wire being pulled through the die increases. Thus, if the viscosity of the lubricant is correct for the last die in a multiple die drawing machine where the wire is at its highest speed, it will be too thin and will not provide sufficient lubrication to the preceeding dies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a wire drawing machine and process in which the machine is separated into two or more sections each with one or more dies, such that lubricant from one section cannot mix with lubricants from another section. It is thus possible to provide the optimum viscosity lubricant to each section and thus improve the wire quality and reduce the wearing of the die. As a further extension of this invention, it is possible to enclose the dies in graduated groups of one or more such that an optimum lubricant for each group can be provided to the dies and a separate lubricant to the capstans which pull the wire through the dies. Thus one lubricant can be used which is optimum for the purpose of pulling the wire through the dies and another for lubricating the innerface between the wires and the capstans. This extension of the invention is particularly valuable in drawing finer sizes wires where the optimum die lubricant may have a high enough viscosity to cause the wire to adhere to the capstans and break. By using a separate coolant and lubricant on the capstans, this problem will be avoided.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new improved process of drawing wires on multiple die slip type machines in a manner whereby each group of one or more dies and capstans may be separately lubricated.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved multiple die slip type machine for drawing wire in which sections of one or more dies and capstans are separately lubricated.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a method of drawing wire on multiple die slip type machines in which groups of dies and capstans are separated from each other in a manner whereby no lubricant can pass from one group of dies and capstans to a second group of dies and capstans operating at different speeds.

Other objects and a better understanding of the instant invention may be had by referring to the following description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a multiple die slip type wire drawing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of a wire drawing machine taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of one of the capstans and its lubricating means shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the capstans and cooling means taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the die holder taken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6, is a cross-sectional view of the die mounting on the wall taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7, is a perspective view of the die holder utilized in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8, is a perspective view of the die holder mounting bracket shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the die utilized and shown in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 1, there is illustrated a multiple die slip type wire drawing machine of the present invention generally designated by a numeral 10. The machine 10 comprises a housing 12 having side walls 14 and 16 and front wall 18. The machine 10 has two separate enclosed compartments 20 and 22 divided by a separating wall 24. A large diameter wire is drawn from a reel of wire (not shown) and after passing through machine 10 is rewound upon another reel (not shown) as very fine wire, the large diameter wire 28 is supplied to the machine under a biased tension roller 26 mounted on the side wall 14. The wire 28 is fed through an opening 30 in side wall 13 to the smallest diameter capstans 32 of a first graduated group of capstans 34. The first group of capstans 34 is a series of capstans on a single driven shaft as is well known in the art. The largest diameter capstan 36 is at the end thereof opposite from capstan 32. The wire 28 extends around small diameter capstan 32 and thence through the first die 38 in a first graduated group of dies 40 best shown in FIG. 5. The first group of dies 40 has a graduated series of dies with the die having the largest diameter aperture, namely die 38, being at the bottom thereof and the die with the smallest diameter aperture 42 being at the other end thereof. The group of dies 40 are mounted upon a curved arm 44 which curves upwardly to follow the countour of the upper diameter of the group of capstan 34. Thus, there will be a direct feed from the top of small diameter capstan 32 through large aperture die 38 to the upper surface of another small diameter capstan 46 in a graduated group of capstans 48 whose largest diameter capstan 50 is mounted at the end thereof with all nine capstans forming group 48 being mounted on a single shaft. The wire, after passing around small diameter capstan 46 passes underneath group of dies 40 to the second capstan 52 adjacent to small diameter capstan 32 in group of capstans 34. After passing around capstan 54, the wire passes over the top thereof and thence back thorough the next largest die 54 in group of dies 40 and is pulled therethrough by rotation of capstan 56 adjacent to capstan 46 in group of capstans 48.

Thus, the wire 28 coming from under tension roller 26 passes over capstan 32 and is pulled through die 38 by capstan 46 and thence passes under the groups of die 40 to capstan 54 wherein it is then fed through the second die 54 and is pulled therethrough by the capstan 56 in group of capstans 48. The wire continues, being continually drawn increasingly smaller dies in graduated group of dies 40 until, finally, it is pulled through smallest aperture die 42 by capstan S and thence passes through a separator die 58 separating wall 24. It will be understood that each of the group of capstans 34 and 48 are driven by suitable drive means 60 and 62 respectively which are driven through a suitable belt driven drive motor system mounted within the housing 10. The motor drive unit is positioned behind the back wall 64 of the compartment 20 and the back wall 66 of the compartment 22.

Since the wire 28 is being pulled through the die, it is necessary to lubricate the dies, and, additionally, to lubricate the capstans. Since the problems of lubricating the dies are substantially different from lubricating the capstans, different means are provided for lubricating each, and, additionally, there is provision made for separately pulling and lubricating each of the capstans and dies so that there will be no capstan or die which is not lubricated. Both of the capstan groups 34 and 48 are lubricated by a tubular spray member 66 and 68 respectively. Only capstan group 34 and spray 66 will be fully described, it being understood that all of the other capstan groups and their associated spray tubes are substantially similar.

The operation of the capstan group and the spray tube are best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The tubes 66 are supplied through a suitable conduit 70 from a source of supply of pressurized lubricant behind wall 64. The pressurized lubricant is fed through conduit 72 to a series of holes 74 on the bottom surface thereof, aligned with each of the capstans in the group of capstans 34. The lubricating oil which passes through the conduit 72 to tube 66 is then sprayed through the openings 74 onto the individual capstans in the group of capstans 34. It should further be noted that it would be possible, rather than utilizing a series of holes 74 to have provided a single slot along the length of the tube 66 to spray the capstans 34. Further, it should be noted that the holes 74 are equal in size, even though the pressure at the hole adjacent the end 72 is less than the pressure in the hole adjacent the capstan 32. Thus, there will be less lubricant supplied to the capstan 36 than to the capstans 32. This is desirable as the faster the wire moves, and the wire on the capstan 36 is moving faster than the wire on the capstan 32, the thicker the lubricating oil on the wire, as it passes through the dies. Thus, it is important to 'use less oil adjacent the faster moving and smaller diameter wire than on the slower moving larger diameter wire which would normally be on the capstan 32. This graduation in lubricant supplied to the wires on the individual capstans of the group 34 is an important feature of the present invention. lt should further be noted that the same type of conduit 76 supplies the tubular spray head 68 which sprays the group of capstans 48.

The group of dies 40 is also provided with a lubricant from a conduit 78 which is supplied from a suitable pump behind rear wall 64. The conduit 78 pumps fluid through a suitable channel (not shown) in arcuate support member 44 shown in FIG. to lubricate each of the dies in the groups of dies 40. The channel in arcuate support member 44 is not shown, but it is understood that the openings into each of the dies in the group of dies 40 is equal in area and thus there is less lubricant fed to the furthermost die 42 than is supplied to the die 38 closest to the wall 64 for the same reasons as was discussed with respect to the spray nozzle 66 and the group of capstans 34. A suitable collection pan to return the lubricant from the dies for recycling can be provided.

The separator die 58 is also supplied pressurized lubricant through a suitable conduit 80. The conduit 80 is connected directly into a die separator mounting flange 82 with a suitable opening 84. The die separator mounting flange 82 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, is mounted on wall 24 and aligned with an opening 86 in said wall. The mounting flange 82 also has an opening 88 aligned with opening 86 is designed to receive a suitable die 90 which is held in position by die holder 92 which clamps die 90 into position and, further, by its construction allows lubricant to pass through conduit 80 and opening 84 into the passageway adjacent die 90 so as to lubricate the wire being drawn through die 90 and thence through wall 86. It should be noted that the lubricants utilized cannot pass through wall 24 as the die 90 provides a wiping action on wire passing therethrough and efiectively seals chamber 20 from chamber 22.

It should be noted that a third group of capstans 94 having an associated spray nozzle 96 is provided in chamber 22 adjacent to separating wall 24 so as to pull wire through nozzle 58 into chamber 22. The spray nozzle 96 is sprayed from a suitable conduit 98 with a lubricant especially designed for the now faster moving thinner wire which has already passed through ten die stages before it reaches the second chamber 22. After passing around the smallest diameter capstan on the group of capstans 94, the wire then passes through the largest diameter die in a group of dies 99 positioned between the third group of capstans 94 and a fourth group of capstans 100 having associated therewith a spray tubular nozzle 102. The spray 102 is supplied from a suitable conduit 104 which is similar to the supply for the conduit 98 but different from the lubricant supplied through conduit 70 and 76 in chamber 20. Similarly, a lubricant is supplied through conduit 106 to the group of dies 99, which lubricant is different from that supplied to the group of dies 40 from conduit 78 in chamber 20.

It can thus be seen that the individual capstans in chamber 22 are supplied with a different lubricant, one having a different viscosity, than the lubricant supplied to the capstans in chamber 20. Further, the lubricant supplied to the die 99 is different from the lubricant supplied to the dies 40, again, because of the difference in the speed of the wire passing through the dies. With a faster speed, the viscosity must decrease. Further, the pressure on the sprays will, as was discussed before, provide more lubricant under higher pressure at the capstans pulling the larger diameter wire than at the capstans pulling the smaller diameter wire.

When the wire has passed over through the smallest diameter die in the group of dies 99 and over the largest diameter capstan in the group of capstan 100, it then passes through a separator die 110 similar to the separator die 58, which separator die is mounted on a separator wall 112 and which die is provided with suitable lubricant through a conduit 114. The die 110 and its conduit 114 are exactly like the die 58 and conduit 80 discussed with respect to the chamber 20. However,

the die mounted in die holder 1 is obviously one having a much smaller aperture as this is the final drawing stage prior to the wire being reeled onto a suitable take up reel. It should be noted that the wire 28 as it leaves the die 110 will be wiped free from lubricants before it is wound up on a suitable take-up reel.

It should further be noted that the bottom wall of each of the chambers and 22 is provided with a suitable drain pipe 118 and 120 respectively for collecting lubricants and, in some embodiments, recycling the lubricant for use.

it should further be noted that, depending on the size of the equipment, the number of times the wire need be drawn through successive dies, and other considerations, additional compartments with more or less capstans therein can be utilized within the scope of the present invention for the purpose of insuring optimum lubricant on the dies and capstans during a complete and continuous drawing operation.

As was discussed, it is possible to utilize different lubricant on the dies and the capstans, but, this is not to preclude the utilization of the same lubricant on both the dies and the capstans within a given compartment.

Although this invention has been described with respect to its preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many variations and modifications will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, and it is preferred therefore, that the scope of the invention be limited, not by the specific disclosures herein, but only by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine comprising the steps of a. drawing the wire through a series of one or more graduated dies by driving an associated series of one or more capstans all located in a first compartment,

b. drawing the wire from said first compartment into a second compartment through a second series of one or more graduated dies by driving an associated second series of one or more capstans all located in said second compartment,

c. lubricating the dies and capstans in said first compartment with a first lubricant, and

d. lubricating the dies and capstans in said second compartment with a second lubricant different from said first lubricant.

2. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 1 wherein said step (b) is accomplished by drawing said wire through a die in a wall between said first and second compartment to wipe the wire as it leaves the first compartment and before it enters the second compartment.

3. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 2 wherein said step of drawing the wire through a die on a separator wall includes the step of lubricating and cooling said wire as it passes through said last mentioned die.

4. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 1 wherein said steps of lubricating the die and capstans includes varying the amount of lubricant applied to particular dies and capstans in accordance with the speed of the wire as it passes through said dies and around said capstans.

5. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 4 wherein said step of varying the amount of lubricant supplied to said dies and capstans includes the step of decreasing the amount of lubricant supplied to a particular die and capstan as the speed of the wire increases.

6. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 1 including the step of wiping the drawn wire free of lubricant as it leaves each of said compartments.

7. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 6 wherein said step of wiping the wire as it leaves each of said compartments is accomplished by drawing said wire through a die mounted on a wall of the compartment.

8. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 7 including the step of separately cooling and lubricating said wiping dies.

9. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 1 wherein said steps (c) and (d) are accomplished by providing a first die lubricant and a separate and different first capstan lubricant, and a separate and different second die lubricant and a separate and difierent second capstan lubricant, said first die lubricant being supplied to said first series of dies and said first capstan lubricant being supplied to said first series of capstans, said second die lubricant being supplied to said second series of dies and said second capstan lubricant being supplied to said second series of capstans.

l0. Wire drawing apparatus comprising:

a. a first compartment,

b. a first graduated series of one or more dies mounted in said first compartment;

c. a first series of one or more capstans mounted in said first compartment;

d. drive means for driving said first series of capstans to draw a wire successively through each of said graduated series of dies and around said first series of capstans;

e. a second compartment;

f. a second graduated series of one or more dies mounted in said second compartment;

g. a second series of capstans mounted in said second compartment;

h. drive means for driving said second series of capstans to draw a wire successfully from said first compartment through each of said second graduated series of dies and around said second series of capstans;

i. first lubricating means for lubricating said first graduated series of dies and said first series of capstans with a first lubricant;

j. a second lubricating means for lubricating said second graduated series of dies and series of capstans with a second lubricant.

11. The wire drawing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first and second compartment have a common wall, said common wall having an aperture therethrough, said first series of capstans and said first series of dies being positioned to allow a wire to pass through said aperture in said common wall into said second compartment.

12. The wire drawing apparatus of claim 11 including a separating die member mounted in said aperture in said first lubricating means comprises two separate lubricating means, one for lubricating said first series of dies and one for lubricating said first series of capstans, and said second lubricating means comprises two lubricating means, one for lubricating said second series of dies and one for lubricating said second series of capstans.

16. The wire drawing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first and second lubricating means are operative to apply lubricant under different pressures to different capstans depending upon their size and the speed of wire passing thereover.

t III I i ll 

1. A method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine comprising the steps of a. drawing the wire through a series of one or more graduated dies by driving an associated series of one or more capstans all located in a first compartment, b. drawing the wire from said first compartment into a second compartment through a second series of one or more graduated dies by driving an associated second series of one or more capstans all located in said second compartment, c. lubricating the dies and capstans in said first compartment with a first lubricant, and d. lubricating the dies and capstans in said second compartment with a second lubricant different from said first lubricant.
 2. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 1 wherein said step (b) is accomplished by drawing said wire through a die in a wall between said first and second compartment to wipe the wire as it leaves the first compartment and before it enters the second compartment.
 3. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 2 wherein said step of drawing the wire through a die on a separator wall includes the step of lubricating and cooling said wire as it passes through said last mentioned die.
 4. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 1 wherein said steps of lubricating the die and capstans includes varying the amount of lubricant applied to particular dies and capstans in accordance with the speed of the wire as it passes through said dies and around said capstans.
 5. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 4 wherein said step of varying the amount of lubricant supplied to said dies and capstans includes the step of decreasing the amount of lubricant supplied to a particular die and capstan as the speed of the wire increases.
 6. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 1 including the step of wiping the drawn wire free of lubricant as it leaves each of said compartments.
 7. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 6 wherein said step of wiping the wire as it leaves each of said compartments is accomplished by drawing said wire through a die mounted on a wall of the compartment.
 8. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 7 including the step of separately cooling and lubricating said wiping dies.
 9. The method of drawing wire on a multiple die slip type machine of claim 1 wherein said steps (c) and (d) are accomplished by providing a first die lubricant and a separate and different first capstan lubricant, and a separate and different second die lubricant and a separate and different second capstan lubricant, said first die lubricant being supplied to said first series of dies and said first capstan lubricant being supplied to said first series of capstans, said second die lubricant being supplied to said second series of dies and said second capstan lubricant being supplied to said second series of capstans.
 10. Wire drawing apparatus comprising: a. a first compartment; b. a first graduated series of one or more dies mounted in said first compartment; c. a first series of one or more capstans mounted in said first compartment; d. drive means for driving said first series of capstans to draw a wire successively through each of said graduated series of dies and around said first series of capstans; e. a second compartment; f. a second graduated series of one or more dies mounted in said second compartment; g. a second series of capstans mounted in said second compartment; h. drive means for driving said second series of capstans to draw a wire successfully from said first compartment through each Of said second graduated series of dies and around said second series of capstans; i. first lubricating means for lubricating said first graduated series of dies and said first series of capstans with a first lubricant; j. a second lubricating means for lubricating said second graduated series of dies and series of capstans with a second lubricant.
 11. The wire drawing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first and second compartment have a common wall, said common wall having an aperture therethrough, said first series of capstans and said first series of dies being positioned to allow a wire to pass through said aperture in said common wall into said second compartment.
 12. The wire drawing apparatus of claim 11 including a separating die member mounted in said aperture in said common wall to wipe wire passing from said first compartment into said second compartment free from lubricant.
 13. The wire drawing apparatus of claim 12 including third lubricating means for lubricating said separating die member.
 14. The wire drawing apparatus of claim 12 wherein said second enclosed compartment has a second separating die member mounted on a wall of said second compartment whereby, when wires leaves said second compartment through said second separating die, said wire is wiped free from lubricant.
 15. The wire drawing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first lubricating means comprises two separate lubricating means, one for lubricating said first series of dies and one for lubricating said first series of capstans, and said second lubricating means comprises two lubricating means, one for lubricating said second series of dies and one for lubricating said second series of capstans.
 16. The wire drawing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first and second lubricating means are operative to apply lubricant under different pressures to different capstans depending upon their size and the speed of wire passing thereover. 